DETERMINATION OF HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IN SLUDGE INCINERATOR EMISSIONS USING ION CHROMATOGRAPHY AND INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA MASS-SPECTROMETRY

A unique approach is described using ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the determination of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in wastewater sludge incinerator emissions. Quartz fiber filters, spiked with an isotopically enriched (Cr-50 or Cr-53) chromate salt, were used to collect emission particulates. The enriched Cr(VI) isotope was used to monitor the reduction of Cr(VI) during sample collection using a pseudo-first-order reaction model and to calculate the rate of deposition of native Cr(VI) on the filters. At the end of the sampling period, the Cr(VI) was extracted from the filters with 0.1 N sodium hydroxide and determined by IC using postcolumn derivatization with 1,5-diphenylcarbohydrazide. To determine the ratio of enriched Cr(VI) to the native Cr(VI) emitted from the incinerator, an additional aliquot of the sample extract was preconcentrated by IC and the isotopic composition of the Cr(VI) fraction determined by ICP-MS.